HFC-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant, while Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) is a hydrofluoro-olefin refrigerant. HFC refrigerants are composed of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon atoms connected by single bonds between the atoms. HFO refrigerants are composed of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon atoms, but contain at least one double bond between the carbon atoms.

While HFC-134a has been one of the global standard automotive air-conditioning refrigerants, it will not meet the EU F-gas regulation. Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) is a low GWP refrigerant for use in automotive air-conditioning. Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has a GWP of 4 based on a 100-year time horizon, and will meet the EU F-gas regulation. Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has physical properties similar to HFC-134a. Therefore, Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has the potential to be used in current HFC-134a systems with minimal system modifications.

Why is Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) used for automotive air conditioning?

Potential exists for direct substitution of Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) into existing HFC-134a automotive air-conditioning systems with minimal modification. Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) also has the potential as a retrofit refrigerant in existing HFC-134a systems.

Life Cycle results show that Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has improved performance as compared with HFC-134a. It has very low direct contribution to climate change and lower indirect contribution to climate change versus the current refrigerant HFC-134a. With further efficiency improvements, indirect contribution to climate change can be reduced further.

What are the main characteristics of Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf)?

Low toxicity

Low GWP; GWP = 4

Zero ozone-depletion potential

Low total contribution to climate change

Same operating pressures as current HFC-134a system

Properties

HFO-1234yf

HFC-134a

Boiling Point, Tb

-29°C

-26°C

Critical Point, Tc

95°C

102°C

Pvap, MPa (25°C)

0.677

0.665

Pvap, MPa (80°C)

2.44

2.63

GWP (100 ITH)

4

1410

ODP

0

0

What are the environmental properties of Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf)?

Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has a GWP of 4 based on a 100-year integrated time horizon. More importantly, Opteon™ YF (HFO-1234yf) has lower total contribution to climate change than HFC-134a. Click here for more information regarding total climate impact.